Illuminated sign.



H. R; WILEY. ILLUMINATED SIGN. lPrLlcATloN FILED ont. 15. 1.1114f "Patented Feb. 13,1917.

4 sugars-SHEET z.

` ATTORNEY II; II. WILEY. v ILLUMINATED sIGII.` 'APPLICATION `FILED OC-T. 15. 19H.

INVENTCDRl l ATTORNEY 4Patented I Ib; 13, 1917.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ATTORN EY 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4- L lNVENTOR Patented. Feb.13,1917.

RJR. wlLliY.V y ILLUMINATED SIGN APPLICATIDN FILED 00TH.'y 15.?19'14.

nur n; WILEY., oFniiFFAioNEW Yank.'

ILLUMINATED SIGN.

Specification of Letters Pateiit. Patented E elli). 13, 1917.

. r Application lel October 15, 1914. Serial No. 866,817.

To all fio/wm t fiicy'concewt.f

-illuijninated -i'rom 'een of the United lStates, iiesiding at Buffalo,

in the county oiE Erie and State oi'Neiv York, have invented a Vnew and useful- Illiiinitiated Sign, ofhvhich, the following is a specification.

lhis invention has reference to improve-- ments in illuminatedsigns. andy its object is to provide a sign especially adapted to shovi- Windows, but not -1iecessarily conlined vto 'such use, wherein the letters of the sigiimay be brilliantly illuminated artificial light from4 a source 'invisible to the* observer, and

whereby the letters are also brilliantly illuminated by daylight.

.I he present invention comprises a' letter holding means upon which suitable/letters or other sign characters may besccured, associated With a light source or sources so arranged in conjunction' with' reflecting means that the letters receive the rays of light atvsii as'to appear, brilliantly range or` auI source, Whe hidden `from i; parent by the illumination, of the letters. The reflecting ineans `associated with the les of observation, the light 'light source is soj arranged that certain parts are utilized for daylight illumination of the .letters,` such utilized reliecting 'surfaces licing invisible to the observer but directing rays of daylight against the visible surfaces y.oi the letters in ya manner to brilliantly illu mi nate them.

To enhance the effect the letters iii'alizing,

sign may be made of material having up the ilzeA characteristics and since the de- Vl Ct illumination of the window by light rays pi' sing through the carrier and not inter it xd either by the carrier'or the letters.

The great" var der some circumstances may be inverted;

l. that is, with the letter cari-ier below instead of above the housing for` the light-giving means. The letter carrier is therefore so mounted as to'tilt on an` axis sulistantially perpendicular to the line of vision aiidto the' general line otlight from the light ralitynzsign structures a comparatively Wide single or multiple, being rect ,observation and only apintended particularly for show-win- (lows and the like, the #carrier for the lettersA oi' the sign madeof skeleton type to cause illuminated sign may-be used iiiA a` y oi' different locations. and u nsource tothe letters and then te to the eye of the observer, whereliiy thefetters Iniay bef readily' placed at the :most elticient angle to cause the illumination thereo 1l'.

:The invention susceptible of use in con-v 1 n ection with overhead signs` or with double'" signs, in which latter cas the sign may be` read, by persons traveling in opposite directions. f

The invention will be b ist understood from la consideration .oit the following de-A tailed description, taken in connection-With the accompanying drawings torininga part oi" this specification.,I with the further understanding Athat `while the drawings show a practical forni of4 the invenmion, the hitter is not confinedto any strict c inforinityy with the showing of `the drawings, loutv niayble `changed and modified so long as 'such chaiigesand inodiicatipns niark no materialdeparture from the salient features of the invention.. i I' In 'the drawings Figure lisa perspective vi ew of one form of sign constructedin accordance With they. present inventionand designed niore partieularlyfor use 'in a showwindow Fig. 2 ,'s va plan view ol the structure shown in Fignrl. I

Fig, 3 lis aV vertical cross section "of the' sign of Fig. l.

Figi-4 ,isa vertical cross section ofen overhead double sign.v o

Fig. 5 is a perspective view `Ioi another form ofthe invention, ivliil-.h forni is the preferred forni.

` Fig. 6 isa crossfsection of the structure of.

Fig. 5 'similar to the cross-se :tion ofv Fig. 3.

ig. 7 is a rear view of a p irtionof asign. inadc'up of a plurality of sti uctures such-as'` shown `in Fig. 5. Q f

"FigQ 8 a section -sin'iilai to` Fig. 6' but omitting parts of the structure, the'section`- beingjdesigned' tofshoiv oie"-inanner of, mounting the structure.

Fig. 9` 's an end elevatioi showing one manner of supporting thef ign inthe inverted position.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vsection on the line 10?-10 o'Fig. 7 `and drawn on a largerv Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 but showing .inotherjmannei" ofiastening a `plutogether end to end..

Referring to Figs. 1', 2 and 3 there is shown an elongated casing 1 having a portion 2 which may be termed the 'front portion because presented toward. the observer.

,a point about at 4, ,of a general curve which may be'approximately parabolic, although -such particular curvature is not obligatory since other shapes will answer for some purposes. This general shape may be brought Aabout by a series of narrow flat portions 5,

ing 'between them a Adoubled band 22 so arranged that theldoubled portion projects or the general curve may be continuous as will appeaixfrom other figuresv to be described. At the upper edge the front pory tion 2 merges into a top 6 directed toward the rear of the casing for an appropriate distance. The end members of the casing are made as high as the front portion 2, while the rear wall 7 of the casing may be -of less height, and near the rear portions of the side Walls they are formed with,` upright extensions 8. lhevcasing is provided with a bottom member 9 and with an intermediate wall made up of a section 10 rising at 'an-angle from the point 3 of the front 2 and then joining a substantially ,horizontal portion 11 continuedtoward therear wall 7 and finally merging into an inclined portion 12 ultimately joining the upper edge of the back 7. are to be understood as having reference to the installed device in the upright position, for, as will'hereinafter appear, the device is susceptible of use to advantage in the inverted position. 'lhe inner walls of the front 2, especially between, the points 3 and 4, and the upper surfaces of the sections 11 and 12 of the intermediate wall within the casing, are of light reflecting material, pref-- j tem of the store or other place Where the sign is employed.

Theupright extensions 8r are designed to receive an elongated skeleton holder or sup'- port 17 for the reception of letters 18 making up the sign, `and it is to be understood that the word letters7 is here used as not only meaning alphabetical characters, but

The terms of position employed4 has about midway of its length a stud 20 Y projecting therefrom, which stud is extended through the corresponding upright 8 and has a thumb nut 21 threaded thereupon, the studs 20 serving as pintles upon which the sign carriervmayvbe rocked andthe thumb 'l `nuts serving as locking means for holding the sign lin adjusted positions.

It willbe understood, of course, that any appropriate means for this purpose other than thumb nuts may be employed.

Each strip 19 is made of two parts clampinto the space betweenv a strip 19 and, the next adjacent strip 19. Ordinarily the carrier includes but Vfour strips 19 arrangedV in two pairs with the strips of each pair spaced apart and the doubled over portions of the bauds. 22 entering the spaces between the mfunbersv of the respective pairs, and these i pairs are'arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line Vor axis of thecarrier. The bands 22 may be made of `felt o1' other suitable n'mteria-l, and'itis customary7 to cover what may be termed the front faces of the strips 19 with felt, as shown at 23.

The letters 18 have secured to them headed members 24 adapted to enter thel spaces between the respective members of the pairs of strips 19, the folded-overrportionsl of the bands` '22 entering such spaces yielding to the insertion of the'headed members 24 and locking behind them, thus holdin-g the leti found byexperience that a glass letter with a corrugated visible surface' and with the rear face silvered becomes particularly bril- Y vliant and attractive under illumination and 'is susceptible of illumination not only by artificial .light,'but by daylight. y .Y

In order ithat the letters be Well illuminated sufficient light` must beprovided, es-.

pecially in thecase of artificial light, .and it is advisablev to subdivide the'artificial light and thus extend 4the light-giving source` made up of a series of units, lengthwise of the sign, so that thereimay be' a compara-4 tively even illumination throughout the length of the sign, although there are greatly elongated forms of incandescent lamps which may be employed in place of' multi-subf'division, of ,the source of illinni anyr particular type nation, andV it' will therefore be' underetrajal that the present'invention not limited to of arrangement of the lightlgiving -Souree or sources, and that un- (ler the `ternrlight-giving Source. it is toy i be understood'that any suitable arri-nige-` sub'etantially `so, `and is nient of lighbgirjing means` may be enrployed,

with a structure auch, ae described theportieri 3-l ol? the reflector is prnfabolic, or depended upon for Let it be aesuniied the niaiiji illuvlnixnition.

'that fligl'lt from the lal'nii) 1li reacheethe parabolic part of the relieeting 'surface and is relflectel therefrom along the line'lli to the reflectiu'lg eilriliaee ot the `ter 1.8 and from thence tl'ierligl'itf ie reflf ted along the line E to the eye ol the observen 1t' the o rer eo locatragl as tobe at a somewhat li'llerentpugle to the letter 1S a rav et light liroin tlre lamp lti .may "Follow the line 2li to the reflecting Surli'aee l2 and thence on .rel:A ctiollf:l'ollow the line 26? tothe letter and he .reflected 'therefrom along the line Ml to he eye of the oljiaerver, especially if the ol)- rver has aiiproaehed the sign inorecloeely an liiefore and looks; down. tl'lereiuiion at a altr ai'igler-` llroln the usual. position of 1 ation the illumination of the letter due both to the direct light from the lamp and to the light directed upon tlieletter by the parabolic red uting verypinarkcdly to the even illumina tion of the letter and preventing v bright spits alarma-ring. to 'the detriment' of the t et y i Experienceliae shown that with a device anch as illustrated in Figs. 1, Q and 3 fand located. in a showovindoiv.daylight will not directly illuminate thelettersjbecauee the letter carrier is tipped forwardly in' 'order to' loefI illun'iinated.by the Source of artificial light... However, daylight'enters the window to or at quiteadietance from the from high. point along a line which may beA coi'lsidered as the line v27 and 'striking the reflecting sur ace 11. is directed to the letter along .theLline 27?; leaving the letter-hy the linie 27b reaching the letter andubeing reflected there- :t'roin varies tl'ni'oughout a" considerable range, .wherefore an 'observer may be close sign and `Still it `Well illuminated by daylight beeauseof thefrefleetion fron'i the reflecting surface 11', which extei'isive enough to ,cause lightto reach practically the entire surface of l the: lett despite the forival y l appeareto bewell illuminated by daylight. l A different"adaptation of' tl'ie principal features of the structure of Figs. l, 2 and' f3 is shown'in Fig. Llvvhere there is illustrated a easing Q8 substantially alike on opposite the Acasing, which Irn yMountedzon the auplniirt Elfi are sock y oli which but one 1S shown, ind each Socket.

r tor, the latter contriband ultimately 'reaching the eye ot the oliieerver. Of course, the course of light er at Such an angle that :d tipping' of the `sign 1tA aides of' a central, upright line, the casing being hung by means of a e111 iin 30 or otherwine tremal suitablesupport Each side of ay be ec nsideredV as being as longr aa nece rtry to a1 connnodate `the ,10 Sign or signe, ha* .i i the upper end parabolicsection El with au outwardly de-V clined or flaring extension 2&2 the lower end merging into a'still lo N'e'r portion 33 also outwardly :daring from above down war-diy and finally ending in an inturned depending portioni-l, the casing belenT the lower margine of the side `portions` Bel'beingI in the main freely open. EN tending vlengthwise of the casing at a point ;.ol"= 1ewl'1at above, theflower open end ie a hollow support `35 which rnay be' rainreniei'itly made lof sheet vniet'al with theoppoeite i ce; S36 converging dowi'iwardly lio a purpose :o be da bed. v, l.

`ie designed to reoeire an in .randescent electric lamp 3S, the arrangement being auch `that the lampe 3H :firein o) eralive relation .to the eur-hice o the paralfa lic reflectors. 31, it being und od that the inner surfaces of the parte 32, 2id and. llf'ai'nl the outereurfaces ofthe parte -llff are all eoi'istructed to' readily reflect light (")ne end oli the sup# ,port 35 may receive a receptacle '39 for an attachment plug. v l The caising has 'end walls el() closing in the ends of the caei t., and each. eind 'wall has a 'depending extension el `of sltlitahlc breadth and depth. and exi ending between vthe depending poi-tiene il.` of the end iv-alls ie an .upright web #l2 connecting to the bot` Vtoni of' the support midway of' its breadth. -liroted to the depending portions 4:1' of the "end Walle on opposite sides of the web 4t2 are carriere L for .sign letters 4.4.. tthese carriere l'iaving lvot supports 45 upon `which they lnay rock and vv'hich may be Secured in adjusted positions in like i'nanner to the arrangement shown i 1 Fig. l. In order that direct rays ,of light from the lamps 38 may not pass' tl rough" the yopen bottom ci" the casing, shield e 4:6, 47 are prof vided-and are so located :is to be innen-V interfering `relation with lhe light issuing from.. thellaiinpe toward the relectingsru'- 'facesyor trol the parz'ibolic reflectorsi 31 to reieeting suriliacee directingl the light to the siglrcharactera *binnel it is neces yto have l accese to the l'ajrnpsg'mone of" the "pa l jolie re- 12,0 r fleeting members 3l; nu f vhe hinged to the caeing,' as-v indicated at 4:8', and provided at. point remote from lthe hir ge With a fastening means #LSL ,y o

I he structure of F 4 i; to be supported at euch a, height that the iigierepresented by the lettere la-It are custon'iarily higher than l theV eye of the observer or on a level there with, but in any event the sign `'will appear to ybe brilliantly illumina ted by artificial light within the range ofangles of observation which may be permitted. Suppose light from the lamp 38 reaches one of the parabolic reflectors 31, which may be assumed to be reflected therefrom along thev line 50 to the reflectingsurface 33, and from thence passes along the line 50a to the reflecting surface of the sign on the other side ofI the upright center line .of the casingfrom the reflector 31, and from'thence will pass along the line 50b to the eye of the observer, this `line approaching the horizontal if it be as- :observer is closer to the sign, thenit may bev sumed that the observer is at a considerable distance from the sign, the latter being tilted so that its 'face is directed upwardly `to a slight extent. Suppose, however, that the assumed that light passes from the lamp 38 along the line 51 to the reflecting surface 32 and from thence along the line ,51a to the relecting surface 34 and from thence by the yline 51h to tliereflecting surface 36, passing from such reflecting surface 36 by the line l. 51c to the sign letter 44 and thence by Way should theobserver stand beneath the casing of the line 51d to the eye of the observer, the course of' the light ray being that caught by the eye of the observer when nearly underneath the casing 28. lVhen not quite sq near the sign the course of the light may be by the line 52 to the reflectin surface 33, hence by the line 52EL to the re ecting surface 36,-

thence by Vthe line 52b to the sign letter and b way vof the line 52C to the eye of the o server. So long as the observer is at some distance fronrthe casing 28'direct rays from the lamp are obstructed by the casing, but

28 and look up thereinto along, say, the line 53, the shield 46 or 47, as the case may be,

.cuts olf direct rays emitted-by the lamp 38 and, lmoveover, the direct rays of the lamp cannot reach the pavement or other support .beneath the sign structure to produce un- I pleasant glares of light. The shields 46 and 4T-also aid in cutting off light rays which by' reflection might reach the reflecting surface r36 in a direction to pass out on the open bottom of the casing Without striking the sign character. By a suitable adjustment ofthe signs 44 of'Fig. 4 theyl appear brilliantly illuminated by artificial light and-V since there are signs on opposite sides vof the .center line of the casing, observers may see these signs when approaching the casing from opposite sides. The presence of 'the web 42 `prevents the passage of light through one sign to the other, which passage might serve to confuse the observation.,

The structures of Figs. 1,' 2, 3 Aand 4 have certain yadvantages in use, but the structures about to be described ywith reference to Figs.

5 to 10 have certain advantages over the structures already described, although embodying the same general principles. The

structures of Figs.` 5 to 10 are therefore pregreaterangle to the vertical than the wall 56.

ferred structures because in some features such structures are Asuperior to the first-` Anamed structures.

-In Fig. `5 and associated figures there is shown an elongated casing 54 with a curved front 55 exteriorly convex and interiorly concave. The front 55'is continuedalong what may be termed the lower edge for a distance toward the rear and then rises to form an upright wall 56 shown 'in Fig. 6 as slanting slightly to the rear. This wall rises for but a portion of the height of the casing 54 and then is continued in the form l of a rearwardly inclined wall 57 having a In under-riding relation to a portion of the liront part of the casing Iis abottom wall 5S with an upright extension 59 at the rear ultimately meeting the upper end of the wall 57 which at its upper edge has an angle lso extension 60 forming an obtuse angle with the wall 57 and finally turned over the upper endof the back wall 59 of the casing as shown at 61, whereby the wall 57 isfunited to the upper end of the rear wall 59 in any suitable manner, vas by solder or otherwise.V These 'various parts are made of sheet metal and in the particular structure shownV two.

pieces of sheet metal are bent into appropriate shape while the upper' edge of the front curved wall 55 is turned on itself as shown at 62 to stiften this part ofthe struc- Vture and to avoid the exposure of Aany sharp edges.V A f The casing 54 is provided with end members 63 secured to the Walls of the casing 1n any vsuitable, manner, as by solder,` tongues orv otherwise.

There are therefore provided tw'o' compartments 64 and 65the latter being practically completely closed by the walls 56 to 60.` The wall 56 `is considerably below the, top of the casing which is open'` from the frontupper 'edge 62to the top of the rear wall of the casing, the latter being somewhat lower than the level of the topl of the casing, and the ends 63 of the casing being formed'at the vrear-edge with low ears 66 for a purpose 4to be described.

The wall 56 carries a suitable number of sockets 67 within the compartment 65, but

loo

the receiving ends of these sockets project through the wall 56 into` the compartment 64 where they may' carry electric lamps 68 preferably, though not necessarily of the prevailing high efficiency tungsten type.

VThe /la'mpsockets 67 are connected together as usual by conductors 69 leading to a plug receptacle 70 fast to the rear wall 59 preferably near one end thereof,.so as to receive a plug 71 at the end of conductors 7 2 either arranged for connection in the ordinary lighting circuits, or in a manner to be hereinafter described.

On the inner Wall of eachend 63 there is mounted a slide 7 3 which-may be in the form flange 86 toward' the other end of the carlof an elongated flat narrow metal'stri'p With rier. Theo'ther end "89 of each flange A87 -a longitudinal slot 74f`forined therein,` and more prolonged than the exten: sion. 8.8Y and is this slot is trayersedby'bolts 7 5 extending 'perforated to Iforni an eai through which' through the corresponding end Walls 63. there. is extended a holt or pivotpin' 90 also" f The slide is continued through the .wall 57 traversiirig the corresponding e Je 66.` g y 70 `above the level `of 'the' .lamps 68ai1d also vThevbolt for pin .90 carries a spring"91 through the rear wall 59` where it may be tending to produce a certain amount of frio: turned at. an angle asshown at .76, and there tion between the eyes (S6 and 89, so-that there Y provided 'with an entering recess 77, Wherea pivot or hinge `joint for ihe letter car#4 1 bythe extensioninaybehung upon anail, rier` which' will yield to movements ofithefw" stud or hook 7S` orpo'thfer suitable support carrier thereabout, .loutv therey suilicient vprojecting from a Wall 79' or other -ixture friction produced to hold the ariierin'any perrnittingfthe Y'upwl'ioldingV of the casing 54 position of adjustment against accidental` y on an approximate level and at any distance displacement under ordinaryconditions of Se from the fixture 7.94 .ieriiiitted by the longid A y n i tudinal movement of the slide''B due to the i The present invention is nut directed to length of the kslot 74', the bolts 75 serving to 'the yparticular construction; of the hinge anchor this slide in any desired position of joint, and itis not deemed' ni cessary to deadjustment, o n scriheit in detail, since this hinge joint is ".85

2 It issoinetimes desirable to connect two or both shown and describediin retail in a comxnoreaof the casings in line one with the lpanion applicatioi'i`-Serial Nr.. 866,818 filed other, especially Where anelongation ofthe by nie Aon even dat'e Lherewith vhereinclaimsf gn greater 'than the length of a unit'isrleare i'nade to Tthe construction of the carrier, sii-ed. y lhideif these circumstances the exten- -the letters,land the means for attaching the 90 sions 7C of the slides at the adjacent endsl of letteiStO the' Call'll .btll JAS- ZleSCi'bCl With two sign. units are connected together by a reference to Figs. l tod and.r Ao-be described strap 80 and bolts 81, so that two o i' inoreof n with reference to the remaining yfigures of the sign units act as a single sign. Such an the drawing. 1 i

trran' iinent shownin Figs. fandlO and The hinge or. pivot connections 90 permit 95 1n this case plugs 71E with a short connectthe rocking of the carrier 84 about an' axis ing conductor 72a complete the electric cirslightly below the top ofthf casing 54 'and cuit between the adjoining ends, oi the sign located nearthelrear 'of' the casing. units. Instead of `fastening the casings to- In order to serve-as a guide for the tipping gether in line as shown in Figs.` 7 and 10,- o f the-car1ier on its pivot supports, both or 100 y n i. T3 andthe bolts 75 may hererno'vcd eitherear 89 1s formed or provided With'a other bolts 7`5l. he `used to fasten the pointer .92, Wliilethe inner iace of the .cor-

nic ting ends ott the casings together, as responding end Wall 63 has indicia 9B thereshownin F A 11. I on in coactive relation to thc Apointery 92.

4o At a'lgigi'ropriate points the end nicinbersd lhile certain letter carrying clips have 105 ci the casingare perforated 'near the been described with referenie to preceding. lower edge z t suitably spaced. i'rioints, `as iii-A figures of the dra-Wing, a pr iferred forni of A di .ed at and matching., perhn'ations' clipis shown in Fig at f l-Il, this clip being ha" a 'c provided in the bottoni portions of especially adapted to hold lhele'tters 18 in hat-the ends .of chains 83. or adjusted positions in the ci rriei' S4, but is 1110 thc'casinff so t other carrying i'neans lnay beiniade iast neither shown in detail nor lescriloed herein thereto at opposite ends.; of the e in, since these clips are hotlrsiown, described whcrchv the casing .niay he suspended freni and claimed in the aifoiesai(A companion apsoi'nc higher support, while. in the inverted plication. y

5o in as iiulicaltcd in' Fig. 9.v y T Y Since the carrier Sel n'iay he fof consider- 115 lioil the purliiose'of carrying the letters or `able lei'igth, itV is provided either midway .ithcr f :liziiractcrs nia-king up the sign, the of its length or more frequently with a conilctui'e of llig. 5 and associate'. figures nectingand bracing cross s ,vi 95. Q l providi-d with a skeleton letter carrier El-'l The exterior of the casing` l may ben- 55 ivhich may he readily stamped out oil ished in any suitable inani `r to he uiioh- 12d` piemelolshrct i'netalfithlongitudinalsh. trusire, especially at night while the intehaving thc margins turned reariyaii't y rior oit the* casing, and e I"ially `the inner thc .torni nl" longitiulinal Hangers dll.. '.llhc surf i of the wall 55 ain 5 se surfaces of en ,il the carrier beyond the eiiids olli the the ir 56, 5T and ,60 l' :nted toward the slot; areilf'ornied with ianges 87 turned coniiiartnient (ill: are linie sofas to pro- 125 rearwardly from the face of the ca "rie"i iini iecting surfaces, th ui-faces being til substantially perlicndicular to the y e plated, or iliade of all... iinun'i or other'- thcre t. (ln. .xtreniity 88 of each. flange ci" "wise produced,fand prefeialiily highly pol-..

. proje ts beyond thel corresponding edge oli iehed, so Ithat light stiikinff,I thern is in inost 35 the carrier., and turned down over the part reflected tliereirom. Y 130 The inner surface of the wall 5 may be e of parabolic curvature in cross-sectionA or it may be otherwise formed,I since a parabolic form is not absolutely essential, although advantageous. The purpose of the reflecting surfaces is to direct light emitted by the `lamps 68 against the-visible surfaces. of theletters y18, and hence the reflectingj surfaces are shaped with this end in view. Moreover,

the surface 57 while invisible to the eye of the observer, being hid bythe wall 55, is arranged at an angle to direct against the let-- ters daylight reaching it from a high point,

whereby the letters become brilliantly illu-- minated by daylight, as well as light. The surface 57 lconti-ibn illumination of the letters and ai in lpreventing the formation of brightspotsi wli'ieh stantia'lly their whole surfaces to a sensibly" even degree. Since the letter carriers of the different forms of signshown are pivoted the letters nay be'tilted to a greater or less degreeto thereby attain the best position for the production of the" desired result.'

u In Fig. land associated figures the sign carrier -may after adjustment be fixed in `such adjusted positions by tightening the thumb nuts 2l. In Fig. 5 and'associated figures this is unnecessary, since Vthe frictional hold of the pivot supports of the car.;

rier is'suflic-ienty to maintain the carrier in adjusted positions. The result is that' after the best position is attained the liability of displacement of.the letters with relation to 'the sources of light is reduced to a negligible minimum.

In the structure of Figs. l, 2 and 3 the overhang 6 shields the sources of light from direct observation in the installed position of the structure, a'nd this same result is brought about in the structure of Fig. 4 by f the shields 46 and 47, l In Fig". 5 and associated figures the upper portion of the front wall 55 slants rearwardly to such an extent and to such a height that while offering no impediment toiclear vision of thesign char.-A

acters the observer cannot at any time see either the sources of light or the reflecting surfaces. The upper rearwardly inclined portion of the front of the casing therefore,l like the part 6 rof the structure of Fig. 1 and,

associated figures, serves as a shield between thelight source and reflectors within the other ,casing and the eyes ofthe observer viewing the sign characters. i

The reflecting surface .of the rear face of the frontV wall of the casing whether ofparabolic curvature or not,A or whether made up of a series of elongated narrow flat'portions asin Fig. l and associated figures, constitute a reflector which may be generally described Yas a concave reflector ytending to concentrate the light reflected from it in a long and relatively narrow band of sufficient' Width to quite evenly illuminate letters or sign characters of the height -employd.

What is claimed is :ff

1,. An illuminated-'sign `comprising an elongated opaque casingfcontaining elongated reflecting-means and elongated light-4 giving' means associated with the reflecting means, said Vcasinghaving an' open face through which light fromthe light-giving `'means is directed by the reflecting means associated therewith, and an elongated carrier for sign characters mounted ionthe casing on the side thereof remote from the light-giving means'and related' to the open face-of thi?,v Casing to receive light emitted through 4the,open-,face of the casing-said carrier. beingmounted t'o tilt`toward said open -face 'uponan axis dispesedrlengthwisc of the casing-whereby light from the casing may be eaiised tol strike reflecting sign characters on the carrier at angles to reachthe eye ofanobserverwhile the light-giving elements and reflectors are hidden by the casing from the eye of the observer.

2. An illuminated sign comprising an opaque casing with one face open, lightgiving means and reflectors within t-he casing for reflecting light through the open face of the casing, and a carrier with sign characters inoiintedlthereon and provided with reflecting. faces, said 'carrier being mounted on the casing to receive light directed through the vopen face of the Acasing and tiltableiin a direction toward the light-giving elements' and reflectors withinv the casing to cause the vreflecting surfaces of the sign characters on the carrier t0 direct the light reaching them toward the eye of 'an observer positioned toA have the opaquef'portion of the casing completely hide the light-giving means and reflectors-fromvie 3. An illuminated sign comprising an elongatedv opaque 'easing with one long face open to emit light therethrough, illuminating means and reflecters corresponding in length to the casing and contained within Athe vlatter to be hidden from view by the v.casing and to direct light through the open face ofthe casing, and an elongated carrier with .sign characters thereon provided with light reflecting faces,v saidI carrier being mounted on the casing exterior thereto and extending along that side of the open face remote from the observed side of the casingy of the casing and tiltable'tovvard thesaid openjfaceofthe c'asing, Wherebr light directed through the-open face of the casingv and striking the sign characters 'may 'be `reflected from lthe latter toward the eye of an observer shielded by theopaque portion ofthe casing from vievv of` the vlight-giving means and reflectors Withinithe casing.`

opaque'casing as long as the sign and pro vided With internal re ecting means and light producing means associated th'erevvith and both extended in thedirection of the length of the casing, said casing having one long face open for the emission of, light therethrough, andfan elongatedY carrier mountedon the casing exterior -thereto at, the side of the open face remote from the `.light-giving means, said carrier having sign A.charactersthereon provided with mirror surfaces, and said carrier being tiltable. toward the open face of the casing to direct light eniitted from the casing andl striking ythe mirrorfacesof the sign characters toward the eye n of an observer from Whom the lightgiving and reflecting means are hidden by the opaque Wall of. the casing toward` said. observer.A L l 5. An illuminated sign comp-rising -an elongatedcasinghaving the side toward the observer opaque' and ivith the topface open, lightggiving ineans vvithin` thecasing adja "eentto the opaque face, reectorson the'side of the light-gi`ving "face and positioned to direct light through the openiface toward the side -of the casing and a carrier remotefrorn the opaque face,- `With sign characters thereon located ente-` rior to the f,casing and mounted on. that side of the` casing remote from the reflectors, said'` carrier being tiltable toward the open face-of thecasing to cause light reaching the characters from `the light-giving elements and the lreflectors to` bediiiected toward the eye of an observer onthe opaque side of the casing withy said opaque side, hidingtl'ije' light-giving elements and reflectors from the eye of.lthe observer. f

elongated casing having the Iside toward the oliiser opaque and with the top .face open, lightgiving means cent tothe oparnile face, reflectors onv the side of the light giving ineens toward the ('i`] ')aque face and positioned to direct light e side of through the open facetoivard. th

ace, and

the casiiw remote from the opaq'l ,i f

located eiterior to the casing f mounted on that side of the easing reino i from. the reflectors, said carrier being tilt: e toi'vard the .open face of the casing to cause light reaching the characters from the light gie' ingclements and the reflectors to be directed llng the light giving element:`

casing from va 4. An illuminated sign comprising en sign and inclu tendedin the direction sign, a tiltable carrier supp( rted by the casing on i mote means toward the opaque 6; An illuminated sign comprising fanlside thereof if'emote 4from Within 'the casing adja-v withv sign characters thereon l ,toward-the e'ye 'of anob'servex onthe opaque side of the casing -With .said o' jaque side hid and reflectors f from lthe, eye offtheobservor, said, casing alsocontaining? other refectingmeans located 'nearer lto the carrier than the firstnained reflecting means anc` 'positioned Ito reflect light entering the' open face of the `high point against the refleet.- ing faces of the sign charactersuponvthe,7, carrier, whereby the` sign characters 'are illuminated either by artifioial'light from Y Within the casing `or daylig it entering .the-

Y casing'and reflected'against the sign char' acters. A

. 7; An illuminated sign Vco nprising a `casing 'as long asy the sign and provided with internal 'reflect'ng means als )'aslong as the' ding both cor cave and plane reflectors, light-giving means -Within the casing adjacentto the concave reflector and eX- of the length of the y the side ofthe light-giving means-'refr'om the concave ref ectorand sign 'characters having mirror surfaces and mounted on' the tiltable cari ier.

- 8. An illuminated sign `coinprisinga cas-V ing as, long as theL signand provided with internal reflecting ,means als( as longas `the sign and incliidingbothco ieave` and plane reflectors, light-giving meins Within lthe f casing adjacent to the concave reflector and extended in the direction of the length-of the sign., a tiltable carrier supported by the casing on the side of the lig lit-giving means remote. from the 4curved re ilectoigand sign characters having mirror surfaces and i i a mounted on the tiltable carrier, thercasing on the sideprovidedwith the concave reflector having `a portion. constitutii ig a shield' interposed between'the-interior ofthe casing and y the eye of the observer' 'of the sign-characters.` i f A f). An illuminated sign comprising an 110 elongated casing having internal concave and plane reflecting surfaces, light-produc i ingineans within the casing in operative re- Vlation to the concave `reflecting surface, a

faces. 12@

l0. An ilh'uninatral sigi .ioniijirising an elongated. casiiig having ii'iteinal concave and plane reflecting sur` liglit-jnoducing means within the caelrg in operative relation to the concave ref ecting surface, a

.,ltable carrier mounted. of the casing at the side thereof remote from that si.. c czifrryin g the conca e .reflecting si rfaces, and, si f fn i chzilracters nimnnted on tl ie tiltable cari er and prov' vd `with. inirrn reflecting surfaces, the 'casing and carrier being provided with coactingmeans at the axis of tilting for holding the carrierv in adjusted positions. 11. An illuminated sign comprising a tiltable carrier, sig'n characters thereon having reflecting surfaces, light-producing means 1n operative relation to the sign characters, and

-. aV casin inclosin the liOfht-Ofivin means C D C5 said casing being provided with a concave reflector in operative relation to and-in front of the light-producing means to direct rays of light against the reflecting surfaces of operative relation to thesign characters, and

the sgncharacters, and said casing having another reflecting surface in operative relation vto the sign characters and on the slde of the light-giving means remote from the concave reflector. l A

12. Au illuminated sign comprising a tiltable carrier, sign characters thereon having reflecting surfaces, lightproducing means in a casing Ainclosing the light-giving means, said casing being provided -with a concave reflector 1n operative relation to and in front of the light-producing means to direct rays of light against the reflecting surfaces of the sign characters, and said casing having another reflecting surface vin operative rela- .tionto the signv characters and 'on the -side of the light-giving means remote from the concave reflector, the casing being also provided at the front with a shield interposing between the light-giving means'and the rcfleeting surfaces and .the eye of'an observer viewing the sign characters.

I13. Anrilluminated sign comprising aV casing having an interior vconcave reflecting .surface at the frontV portion-"fthe'casing,

light-giving means within the casing adja.

cent to the reflecting* surface, a carrier mounted on the casing at the'rear side thereof, and sign characters' with reflecting surfaces mounted on the carrier, the casing also containing'a plane reflectingsurface nearer to the carrier than are the light-giving means and concave reflecting surface, and

positioned to receive rays of light from out:l side of the casing and direct such rays of' light on tothe sign characters at angles as to cause thelight to be reflectedtoward the observer.

14. An illuminated sign comprising a casing with the inner wall at the .front concavely curved and at the top' shaped to constitute a shield hiding more remote parts of the interior of the casing from view, said concave wallhaving its surface constituting a reflector for light, a wall rising from the bottom of the casing in spaced relation to both the front and ack of the casing and from thence continuing as a plane reflecting surface to the back of the casing,A lightgiving means mounted'on the intermediate wall between the latter and the concave re-v flecting surface and located in the lower portion of the casing, a tiltable carrier mount. ed on and rising .from therear portion of the casing, and sign characters mounted on the` carrier and provided with reflecting surfaces 'directed 'toward the front of the casing and the reflectors within the casing. y

15. An illuminated sign comprising a casing with the inner wall of the front concavely curved and at the top shaped to constitute a shield hiding more remote partsof the interior of the casing'from view, said concave w'all'having its surface constituting a reflector. for light, a wall rising from the bottom of the casing in spaced relation to both the frontand back of the casing and from thence continuing as a plane reflecting surface to the back of-the casing, light-giv ing means mounted on the intermediate wall between the latterj andj the ,concave .reflecting surface and located, inthe lower portion of the casing, .a tiltable carrier mounted on and'rising from the rear portion of the cas! ing, and sign' characters mounted on ,the

carrier and provided with reflectingsiirfaces.

directed toward the front of the casingand the reflectors within the casing, said carrier being mounted on the, casing in position to receive both direct andreflected light from the light-giving means and for tilting movey ments on an axis longitudinalof thec'asing.

16. An illumina-ted sign comprising casing withthe inner wall at .the front concavely curved and at the top shaped to constitute a shield hiding more remote parts of the interior of lthe casing from view, said concave wall having V'its surface constituting a reflector for light, a wall rising from the bottom' of the casing in spaced relation to both the frontand back of the casing and from l thence continuing as a p laneIreflecting surface to the back ofthe casing, light-giving means 'mounted on the intermediate wall between the latter and the concave reflecting surface and located in the lower portion of the casing, a tiltable carrier mounted on and rising from the rear portion of the cas'- ing, and sign characters mounted ony the carrier and' 4provided withreflecting surfaces directed toward the front of the casing and the reflectors within the casing, said carrier being mounted on the casing for tilting movements Qn an axis longitudinal of the casing, and said carrier and casing having coacting means for holding the carrier in adjusted positions and also with means for indicating the degree of tilting of the car! rier.

17. An illuminated sign comprising, an

elongated opaque casing having an elongated vopen face, a series of light-giving elements within and extended lengthwise ofthe casing at one side of the. open face and in position to be hidden from view by opaque portions of the casing, elongated reflecting means common to all the hghtgivofthe casing to direct light through said opening and `en exterior tiltable carrier mounte on the casin in light receiving relation tothe light emitting opening-,there i of and provided with sign -cherxatctel's having-smooth' mirror refieeting surfaces, I the carrier andlthe--portionfof the easing on which itis monted having coacting means interlor light-givin for holding the carrier lin different tilted 'positions with relation to the easing.

25. An illuminated sign, comprising acas'in With'a.1i'ght emitting opening and means -related to the opening -tir-direct lghtv therethrough, and an exterior` tiltable carrier mountedfon the casing in light receiving relation to the light emitting opening thereof and provided with -sa1d casing being provided the part thereof remote from the lightenjiitsign characters having reiectingy surfaces,

with 'means on ting opein for suspending theoasing with the carrier owermost, and the light-giving means hidden by the Casin jfrom the eyes lofen observer of the sign c 1aracters on the carrier when illuminated bythe light-giv-l ingmeansjwithin theca'sing.

n 1 testimony that I-'e'laim the foregoing as my own, I have-hereto 'affixed myfslgnav`ture 1n the presence of two witnesses. 

